New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1887-04-20
AN APRIL FOOL,
BY MARY r. r. HATCH.

able festivities, not only Thanksgiving.
Christmas, New Years, but Washing
tons Birthday, All-Fool's Day, Hal
cen, and SO on straight through
the year.
They were fools once a year, if not
-oftener, as viii said; and, to tell the
truth, the first Of April was the mad
-dest, merriest day" Of the whole year
through for them.
Viewed from this standpoint, there
aore, it did not seem quite so imper-
stinently cruel to play a trick upon
Eva Atwood.
True. she was q stranger among
them almost, having lived in the Ches-
ter family but q few months, and
knew nothing or little of their Gus
toms; and the only, motherless
daughter OF a wealthy, indulgent gen
tleman, residing in a great city, would
mot be apt to know much OF these
hilarious country pastimes. But, as
her cousin Belle said, ptuously,
she might know, and there was no
earthly reason why she should be ex-
empted from joke unless because
she was rich. And Belle curled her
lips in scorn.
Belle was discussing her plan with
her sister Annie and Cora Webster,
her friend.
s.The best OF it is, Allison Fosters
initials are A. F., which stands for
April Fool, and then two other y oung
smen of our set have the same ones,
Albert Follonsby and Argur French, ;"
said Belle, with animation.
ttBut Eva does not know either of
these" said Annie.
$50 much the better, goosie; but if
she learns OF the joke she will have no
one to blame only her own stupid
ity.
Can you write like Allison Foster?"
asked Cora.
NEAR enough to deceive her.
nave lots of notes Of his that can
study
4No doubt OF that" laughed Cora
well don't chatter, and will see
what can do"
Belle sat down to her writing desk
Z and soon produced the following note,
which she read to them:
MY DEAR LITTLE Eva: You will, no
doubt. be surprised to receive this note
we have known each other so short a time
but since the first evening we met I have
Moved you.
u And you, my darling do you return
this love, the first and only love OF my de.
voted hearth Never answer this if you do
not respond to my love, for could not
bear it, but make me happy by wearing a
geranium leaf in your hair the next time I
come to the house. By this token shall
know that you love me even as love you.
Yours, devotedly,. AT.
april l, 1886"
1'Oh, my! won't it be funny to see
her going about with a geranium leaf
stuck in her hair, and he not to know
anything about it at all, and just us
three in Che secret?" said Cora thought
aessly.
~ think it would be cruel,' said
Annie Indignantly. II never realized
before how mean it would De; and she
81 stranger among us, and the dearest
little soul that ever breathed.''
So you will tattle,' said Belle
.angrily.
No, won't tattle, butt wash my
Hands of the whole affair."" And
Annie walked of, but returned to say
Significantly:
Have you thought, Belle, if Eva
doesn wear the geranium leaf, that
tits virtual refusal; and if you con-
sent to wear it you know what l
mean}, you accept what she refuses?"
But to this Belle deigned no reply,
only to Cora she said, after her sister
left the room:
HPshaw know she loves him.
What shall you do with the let
ter"
..send it by post. Won't you drop
at in the Office as you go by?'
yes, but remember YOU must let
me know when the play opens.''
..Tll send for you And the girls
separated; Cora to return home by
way of the postoAfce, where she
dropped the letter, Belle to Join the
family down. stairs
A lovely, sweet-faced young girl sat
ION the sofa cutting paper dolls for lit
tie Isabel. Annie was reading, as was
Z: AcI @WOuU. MIS-. aCu0SUef WelS sewing.
Just then in sauntered Will, who was
home from college for a few days.
Well, cousin mine" said he, sitting
down beside Eva, fare you ready
primed for the first Of April?"
.'Why, what comes then?" asked
she.
Surprises" said he solemnly; s'for
instance, if you wished to present ME
with your check for fifty thousand
dollars, tomorrow would be just the
day to do it. I should be surprised
at that =
so should L" said she demurely.
with dimples lurking in her cheeks.
.1The children are up to all kinds OF
games the first Of April, dear, said
Mrs. Chester, smiling. Don't let
them torment you
ehVvs 49, .